Limits of Surgery in Medieval Britain Flashcards

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In medieval Britain, what simple types of surgery did most surgeons carry out?

They mainly did bloodletting, pulled teeth, cut out small growths and sometimes amputated limbs or removed arrows from wounds.

Why did lack of anaesthetics limit surgery in medieval Britain?

There were no safe drugs to stop pain. Surgeons used wine or herbs, but patients felt extreme pain and could go into shock or die.

Why was infection a major risk after medieval surgery?

Surgeons did not know about germs. They did not clean their tools properly and had no antiseptics, so wounds often became infected and patients died.

How did poor knowledge of anatomy limit medieval surgery?

Surgeons rarely dissected bodies and relied on old books like Galen. They did not fully understand organs, so they avoided complex operations inside the body.

Why was internal surgery, such as on the chest or stomach, very rare in medieval Britain?

Cutting deep into the body often caused heavy bleeding and infection. Most patients would die, so surgeons tried not to do these operations.

How did the low status of surgeons compared with physicians limit progress in surgery?

Physicians went to university and studied theory, while most surgeons were barber-surgeons trained by apprenticeship. This meant less scientific study and slower improvement in surgical methods.

How did the Church’s influence help keep surgery limited in medieval Britain?

The Church supported Galen’s ideas and focused on prayer and spiritual care. This meant less interest in new surgical ideas and in learning through dissection.

Why did many people see surgery as a last resort in medieval times?

Operations were painful, dirty and risky. Many patients would only agree if they thought they were going to die anyway.

How did medieval beliefs about pus in wounds limit safer surgery?

Many surgeons thought that pus in a wound was a good sign of healing. They did not try to keep wounds clean, which increased infection and deaths.

Name two main factors that limited the success of surgery in medieval Britain.

Possible answers include lack of anaesthetics, lack of antiseptics, poor knowledge of anatomy, fear of dissection, low status and training of surgeons, and strong influence of the Church on medical ideas.

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